(19)

(11)

EP 1 417 480 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 20.11.2003 (43) Date of publication: 12.05.2004 Bulletin 2004/20 (21) Application number: 02758540.5 (22) Date of filing: 14.08.2002

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01N 29/04 (86) International application number: PCT/GB2002/003769 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/016897 (27.02.2003 Gazette 2003/09)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 14.08.2001 US 930117 18.01.2002 US 52237 (71) Applicant: Varco I/P, Inc. Houston, Texas 77042 (US)	(72) Inventors: LAM, Clive, Chemo Tomball, TX 77375 (US) KEMPER, Joseph, Gregory Houston, TX 77079 (US) MANOCCHIO, Antonio Houston, TX 77031 (US) (74) Representative: Lucas, Brian Ronald  Lucas & Co.135 Westhall Road Warlingham,Surrey CR6 9HJ Warlingham,Surrey CR6 9HJ (GB)